Cardiff City vs Aston Villa 2014 – Preview

If you lose at home against a relegation rival, the only way to make up for it, is to beat another one away from home, three days later. Enough said. Over to Mr Lambert. UTV

Solskjaer on Cardiff shipping an average of two goals a home game

“We do concede too many goals at the moment to have any chance of winning games. We can’t let in two goals and just expect to score three.

“We have also conceded too many goals at home, although Saturday’s game was the first time we have gone in level at half-time under me.

“The second half was disappointing so this is something that we have to address. We simply have to stop letting in the amount of goals we are at the moment.

“Villa at home is a chance to get points but Villa are a very good away team and we know we are facing a tough team.”

Lambert on Away Days

“I don’t go away from home thinking a draw or lose, I always go away trying to win.

“We know away from home we have picked up more points than at home but the disappointment is the majority of your crowd come to watch you win at home.

“The away fans have had more of that than the home fans. That’s the disappointing thing.”

Lambert on the ‘R’ word

“There are two ways to look at it, it will either take you under, or you thrive on the challenge. It’s the same as last year. You either meet it head-on or it takes you under.

“We came through last year when we were in a worse position than now, so we will come through this one.

“If you look at it everybody is capable of beating everybody else, with one win taking you up the table, one defeat dropping you down. That is the way it is at the moment.”

Form is Temporary

Memory match:

28 December 1974 Cardiff City 3 – 1 Aston Villa

The last time we played Cardiff at home was a long time ago. Hopefully the score won’t be the same this time around.

Cardiff City: Last five League matches at home: W 2, D 1, L 2

Aston Villa: Last five League matches away: W 1, D 1, L 3

In the last five League meetings at Cardiff Villa have won twice, though this dates back to the late 60’s so might not mean much on Tuesday…

One to Watch

Kenwyne Jones – Newly acquired powerful striker who may cause problems for Villa’s defenders, especially if Vlaar is still out

Facts to Sweep Under the Carpet

There was a time when we took comfort from our away form, but the fact is we’ve only won one of our last five matches on the road. While it would be nice to gain our first double of the season, there were signs that Cardiff were getting something right during their 2-1 win over Norwich at home, and they will be fired up and looking to respond after their derby defeat. We of course faired better in a recent derby, but that represents our only win since New Year’s Day. On Saturday against West Ham we once again saw that relegation rivals can cause problems for Villa. While we sit 12th in the table, we have only four more points than 18th placed West Brom.

What We Pray the Football Gods Will Provide

It would be disappointing to think that we might park the bus against Cardiff, the league’s second-lowest scorers, especially with Agbonlahor back in the side. If we can avoid the defensive mistakes that led to a quick-fire double from West Ham on Saturday, we might be able to capitalise on Cardiff’s lack of Craig Bellamy, who will be suspended – he likes scoring against us and has done so six times in his career. More confidence is needed if we are going to show we have the spirit to avoid ANOTHER relegation battle. Aimless hoofball will not get us three points. Albrighton, who was one of few positives on Saturday, will also hopefully start. Also, we hope the football gods provide us with a fit Ron Vlaar, who looks 50-50 to start.

Why Villa have got this game in the bag

While we continue to struggle in the league there are indications that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who has only won once in his last six league games, might have made a move to the Premier League too soon. While highly rated at Molde and clearly a likeable guy, he has sought to rebuild the team with a number of signings from his native Norway. While exciting prospects for the future, they might not be ready for this level just yet and their league position reflects that. Also, a derby day defeat is bound to have psychological consequences. Having only picked up four points in their last 9 games, they might end up facing more misery from an unpredictable Villa side. UTV.

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My Old Man Said (MOMS) is an award-winning football blog & podcast. MOMS is also on the National Council of the Football Supporters Federation (FSF) and has been to Parliament, the Premier League offices and beyond in addressing supporter issues. UTV

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